| Launched with funding from the government's Urban Bus Challenge the Bedford Dart was initially designed to serve the deprived Queen’s Park area which it was felt lacked adequate commercial routes. The service is operated on a demand responsive basis whereby buses run along a semi-fixed route diverting to collect passengers who pre-book by telephone. From the outset Beds County Council announced that, if successful, this type of service would be extended to other areas. During 2004, the Bedford Dart was extended to cover the whole of Bedford and Kempston, while during the early part of 2005 North Beds Dart with a different livery applied in the same style was launched to serve the sparsely populated north of the county. Further expansion has seen the launch of East Beds Dart services around Sandy and Biggleswade and the Park & Dart park & ride service. Vehicles are operated on behalf of Beds County Council by a variety of operators that includes Swan Travel and Expresslines on Bedford Dart, Cedar Coaches on North Beds Dart and Chiltern Travel of Blunham on East Beds Dart.
Further information about the Dart services can be found at www.bedforddart.co.uk and www.darttransportsolutions.co.uk |
Bedford Dart branding at Bedford Midland Railway Station |
In addition to Optare Solos, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters are also used on Bedford Dart services. BX54ECZ is seen outside Bedford Midland Station on 26th March 2005. |
Nearside view of BX54ECZ on 26th March 2005. Note the unusally-shaped flag on the bus shelter behind which incorporates the Dart logo. |
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Rear view of BX54ECZ on 26th March 2005. |
LDV KE53MXM is seen in Horne Lane, Bedford on 28th November 2003. |
KE53MXM was one of the first Bedford Dart vehicles and is seen here at Bedford Bus Station on 6th December 2003. |
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The North Beds Dart livery uses red in place of white. Still to receive vinyls is Optare Solo YJ51ZWA in Harpur Street, Bedford on 23rd April 2005. This particular service is operated on behalf of Beds C.C. by Cedar Coaches. |
Rear view of Solo YJ51ZWA on 23rd April 2005. |
Optare Solo YN53SVV is seen in Ashburnham Road, Bedford outside the town's Midland Station. |
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YN53SVV is caught between traffic in Midland Road, Bedford on 6th December 2003. |
YN53SVW was another vehicle to be used on Bedford Dart services from the outset, but had been transferred to North Beds Dart services when seen in Harpur Street, Bedford on 23rd April 2005. |
